CHAPTER XVI. 
THE HARTSTONGUE 
[Scolopendrium vulgare). 
0 otlier Britisli Fern can possibly be confounded 
witb tbis, at any rate in its common form, 
its fronds being of a simple, ribbon-like form, 
heart-sbaped at tbe base, and tapering to a 
blunt point at tbe tip. It is tbe sole British 
representative of a very small family. Tbougb 
a comparatively common plant, and one of tbe 
least dainty in its likes and dislikes, it is fre- 
quently absent from places wbicb seem admirably 
adapted for it, and where such absence can hardly be 
imputed to tbe ravages of tbe wholesale collector for the 
market. Tbis is one of tbe few Ferns which find a congenial 
home both on walls and in tbe soil. On tbe former it is 
often found in a very stunted form indeed; while tbe other 
extreme, in tbe shape of luxuriant growth, and fronds 2ft. to 
3ft. long, will be found revelling in loose vegetable mould, 
banging over shaded streamlets, or in tbe sheltered hollows 
of tall hedgerows and leafy woods. Cultivation is easy 
enough : good drainage, an open soil with a trace of lime in 
it, and plenty of shade and water, are all that is required 
The fructification in this family consists of long, oval, sausage - 
shaped heaps of spore-capsules, having a somewhat fanciful 
